November 30, 2010 6:51 AM
Meet the Robinsons - on reconciliation and healing
While we're on the subject of forgiveness, reconciliation and healing, I can't forget to share one of my favorite movies on this theme:
Took the kids to see this last weekend at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg - a sweet old-timey movie house which reopened a few years ago after many years of disuse. The owner is Judy Wilson, a Christian who has made it a practice to show only family-friendly movies. There is some connection through local movie stars, however, and so even though it is a small and very modest theater - unlike the big multiplex in Sterling - it surprisingly gets first-run movies. [Update: The Tally-Ho has changed hands but still has the movie star connection which brings first-run movies to an exceedingly humble little theater.]I LOVED <Meet the Robinsons
!.
Though I'm not one for "fluff" and the fast-paced visual cleverness had me wondering early on whether this would just turn out to be like the Teacups Ride at Disneyland - a quick spin that left me a little dizzy and not wanting more - I eventually found a message so moving that I had tears in my eyes at the end.
This is a movie about family, which may sound odd since it's centered around an orphan. If you are familiar with the picture book, you'll be surprised at the back-story the writers have created for all the eccentric characters and the substantive theme: Keep Moving Forward.
What the writers have created is a spiritual lesson that all of us need to learn - and without any hint of religiosity. I don't want to spoil it for you, but the contrast between how Lewis - who was abandoned as a baby and who has remained unwanted - and his orphan roomie Goob deal with disappointment is powerful message without words on how responsible each of us is for our own fate.
Our choice to respond to disappointment and hurt by becoming bitter or by deciding to "Keep Moving Forward" determines and shapes who we become. The nurture/nature question is fascinating, but as someone who rose above terrible odds myself, I'm pretty heavy on the side of personal responsibility.
The beautiful life that Lewis eventually finds is affirmation that people who let go of bitterness and self-pity can achieve amazing things. I found the theme reminiscent of my favorite Old Testament story - Joseph, who realized that in spite of the rejection and treachery in his early life, God had used every single thing to accomplish something remarkably good. Since becoming a Christian, like Joseph I've felt strongly that I would never go back and change any of the hardship or evil done to me in my early life because I'm so comfortable and happy with who I am today. Thanks be to God that he can take such muck and grow something beautiful from it!
Does this all sound very heavy for a G-rated Disney flick? It's not. I was just amazed that such a powerful lesson could be taught in a bright and fun vehicle. Since movies have great power to shape our thinking - and because I think children can absorb important concepts before they are capable of abstract thought through the medium of stories - I can't recommend this movie highly enough.
Another big plus - the first movie I've seen in ages without a single attempt to get a laugh from coarse humor. And a G-rated movie that will appeal to all generations.
My highest recommendation!
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Comments
I think I love this movie more than my kids! I could watch it again and again! But then, I grew up in a home where no mistakes were allowed and success was determined by not failing. I think it's a great movie and I quote the theme "Keep Moving Forward" all the time!
Posted by: Lucy | December 8, 2010 12:22 AM
